Holding Absence Virtualise Post-Hardcore on ‘Modern Life Is Lonely’
On ‘Modern Life Is Lonely’, Holding Absence update post-hardcore closer to the broader hyperpop movement, yet every choice seems tailored to their roots.
Ethan Stewart
Ethan Stewart is an English writer and musician. Growing up involved in both national and local punk, metal and hardcore scenes, his writing primarily focuses on music, culture and their intersection.He runs a free Substack at https://substack.com/@ethanstewartwriter
Casey Defined Musical Sorrow 10 Years Ago with ‘Love Is Not Enough’
Ten years ago, Casey released Love Is Not Enough. It fused furious hardcore with atmospherics, dynamic structures and singing. It was all in aid of its sorrow.
Beartooth Capture Aggression and Pop on ‘Pure Ecstasy’
Pure Ecstasy‘s highlight is Shomo’s undeniable talent for pop songwriting; however, it also pushes Beartooth’s heaviness into new directions.
Garage Flower Write Indie History With Their Controversial Single
Garage Flower saw viral success when their then-unreleased single was dubbed “indie poo”. Now it’s clear, it is more than Oasis worship.
Andrew Sacher Immortalises 2010s Emo in ‘Emo Revival’
The 2010s were a pivotal era for emo. One of the most appropriate to trace the history of the emo revival is Andrew Sacher, who spent 16 years covering the scene.
Long Goodbye’s Evolution Becomes Imitation on Their New EP
A Whispered Promise of Failure sees Long Goodbye cut the fat from their sound, but lose some of the elements that made them stand out.
Loathe Lace Metal with Soul on ‘A Stranger to You’
Loathe changed the face of metal six years ago. With a new sound in tow, are they still capable of reaching those heights with A Stranger to You?
Outbreak Festival 2026’s Best Performances
Outbreak Festival is the most consistently hailed event in European hardcore. Now, four years into that title, how can it possibly live up to the hype?
Static Dress Kill Emo Nostalgia on ‘Injury Episode’
Static Dress are the face of emo’s nostalgic new wave. They’re not here to provide nostalgia, though; they are here to kill it and build the present.
Car Underwater Prove 2000s Emo Is Back
Car Underwater reignite pop screamo. Their members are Generation Z’s most influential acts, but on Dagger Breaks Window they abandon experimentation.
Blood Countess Create a Generic Black Metal Masterpiece
Blood Countess’ Imperatrix Sanguinis is cold and sadistic fun; a reminder of why the black metal genre thrived in the first place.
Square One and Turn of Phrase Create Powerful Melodic Hardcore
Pale Skies pairs two of the melodic hardcore’s strongest acts of the past year: Square One and Turn of Phrase.